24NOVØ9

It is officially week Ø4 and we started if off with a bang; literally. Due to the size of our company we split into Ø2 small companies, a port and starboard side. For the past couple of days we have alternated going to the range. There we first learned the nomenclature of the SigSauer P229.40cal. Then the following day we were able to either practice on a simulator or with live fire. From there we had sack lunches followed by the opportunity to qualify with the weapon. Everyone had a different interpretation of the whole experience at the range, some were apprehensive and some were excited. Overall it was a part of training we enjoyed. We also lost Ø6 of our shipmates some were due to medical reasons and the others were reverted due to disciplinary reasons. As our Company Commanders put it, they are starting to week out all the wink links, because they refuse to graduate anything less than perfection. Tomorrow we all have our physical fitness test. As a company we came together and encouraged each other to skip all desserts and eat well-balanced meals. The faster shipmates have also volunteered to slow down and keep a pace for the slower shipmates. That is one example of how we are starting to come together helping each other out. As Chief Stanton states we are only as strong as our weakest link.

For Q-182 “Together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford

26NOVØ9

Today was ultimately the best day any of us have had in the past Ø4 weeks. As a regiment we were able to participate in Operation Fire Side for Thanksgiving. Local families volunteered to open up their homes to us and allowed us to use their phones, computers, and enjoy a nice home cooked meal. We were all extremely grateful. The Company Commanders feared that this break in training would damper our self discipline and the military structure that they have worked hard to instill in us, however for most of us it was motivating talking to our families and loved ones. It motivated us to get through the next half of training.

Tomorrow we will be taking our midterms our company commanders have allowed us to study in the evenings. As nerve racking as the midterm sounds it’s very exciting to know that after this last hump we will officially be half way through training.

29NOVØ9

We finally earned Ø2 pennants; pennants go on our guidon to show other companies our accomplishments. We earned the red one for the blood drive since 100% of the company signed up to give blood, and the yellow one for everyone passing the midterm. Everyone did really well on our test the company average was a 92. As impressive as our score was we are still struggling when it comes to team work. We will be having a meeting directed by the squad leaders which we hope will help us come together and work out our differences and help us comet together as a team. Yesterday we were introduced to the Crakin a tool Company Commander s use to help us work together. We were also introduced to pugil sticks. We will not get to fight till Monday morning, but we learned the basic offensive and defensive moves. The purpose of pugil stick fighting is to build self confidence and for everyone to experience a feeling of adrenaline. We are all really excited! This morning we started off rough for Quebec-182. We started off with a fire drill and were failing time objectives left and right. Needless to say we had to make it up to Petty Officer Garcia. Gear was left adrift and we embarrassingly marched around with it.  A dirty pair of gym shorts flew from our guidon all day, except when had the privilege to watch our true Q-182 colors flying from our guidon during the off base run. As quickly as it was put on it was taken, not a good morning. After is when we made up our tardiness and lack of self discipline to Petty Officer Garcia. We marched with our rucksacks and pieces all the way to the outskirts of the beach and back through the woods of the regiment stopping every so often to check our position as Petty Officer called it, it was one of the toughest things we have done so far. We then were reacquainted with the crackin, we didn’t meet our first time objective, but on the second try we pulled it together worked as a team and got the mission done. It was a proud moment for all of us and Petty Officer allowed us to start with a clean slate. Not only were we thrilled Petty Officer Garcia gave us a fresh start but to come together felt really good. As long as we follow through with our teamwork things will start getting better for us. As we are constantly reminded our actions dictate how training goes.

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